NOTES for Mat 7:21-29

Here a stern warning is given to all of us who hope that everything will work out without any effort on our part, through merely theoretical “faithfulness” reduced to words, words... At the same time, Christ also gives hope that many who seemingly gave no thought to observing the will of the Heavenly Father, but who in their lives were simply and naturally active in showing mercy to those around them, will be received by the Lord into His Kingdom.

It seems that here we see an answer to the frequently asked question: what will happen to those who did good deeds without being believers? It is pointless to answer this question “in general”; each person will be judged individually. Nevertheless, this passage from the Sermon on the Mount gives hope that every circumstance will be taken into account.

It is interesting that those rejected because of their lack of mercy present as their merits the miracles and prophecies they performed in the Lord’s name. This means that the presence of such miracles does not guarantee that the person who performed them is pleasing to the Lord, even though the miracles themselves may be fully in accordance with His will. But where there is no love, neither miracles nor spiritual gifts can save.